Posted 2 years ago
BuzzGold
(1 item)
Hello I’m a Newbie here, be gentle…(grins)
In short I love all things old, built with pride and no planned obsolescence.
This scale caught my attention in spite of being painted over with house paint and barn filth.
Not wanting to possibly decrease from it’s value I stripped the paint and lightly cleaned it. It’s brass, birch and cast.
I’ve read about Howe Scale Co. but have yet to find anything on this model anywhere. No idea of age or why it is so unique.
Howe Scale Co. #9 2711
Made in Rutland VT.
It measures from 0 - 640 lbs.
Thanks for looking!
-Buzz
Welcome to CW S&T, BuzzGold -- you're amongst like-minded friends! :-)
Thank you….very excited to have found this site
This is a very cool scale! You did a great job cleaning it up too! I have no clue as to how old it is but wish I'd have found this one!!!
Well, the Howe Scale Co was in biz from 1868-1963.
Did you find that number on the bottom of the scale?
No number on the bottom just what’s cast into the base. Thanks for the compliment. When I seen it I knew or thought this is unusual. Why would you have 5 seperate slides? The icing on the cake is it works perfectly. Still calibrated. Wish I had found this site years ago…
Welcome to CW. Nice find and excellent job removing the paint. I assume that the 5 scales are to make it easy to read since it goes to a high weight. You couldn't have one scale that goes from 0 to 640.
I looked around and your scale seems unique. Additionally I found that both the Vermont Historical Society and the University of Vermont have information and records on Howe. Ive found in the past, that these types of places are very receptive and helpful.
https://vermonthistory.org/howe-scales
https://scfindingaids.uvm.edu/repositories/2/resources/1243
Thanks dav2….appreciate the comments and advice. I reached out to Vermont history to no avail. And actually they have single beam scales that go over 1000 lbs and up, only catch is you have to hang additional small circular weights at the end of the beam. That’s why this seemed so unusual and unique. Fingers crossed someone will say…..” I know that scale !” Thanks to everyone chiming in….
Wonderful scale!!! One of my doctors, from 10 years ago, was still using a scale similar to this. She had it calibrated on a regular basis. Welcome to CW and I look forward to seeing your future posts!!
Well thank you jscotto….very nice of you my friend
By the way, is that an old manure spreader I see there in the background of pic #2?
Indeed it is….1920 International Harvester ….still rolls, I move it by hand to mow
That's awesome!! I've forked out my share of stalls when I was a kid on our farm in Central Kentucky. Our manure spreader was old, but not this old. I pulled it with my Grandfathers Farmall H tractor. Those were the days:)
Great story…..so many others I’m sure. My whole life on a farm.
Keep your powder dry my southern brother.
Love It, Welcome to CW/
Wayne
Thank you Wayne
You are very welcome Buzz. Stick around, plenty of awesome folks that love to share their knowledge freely, it's a great place to learn about things you may have never thought of!
SYP….I see that and very excited to find a place full of cool things and great ppl
I just acquired this same scale. It’s in good shape, but minus 2 of the 4 steel balls and also has no wheels. I live quite close to Rutland, VT and would like to learn more about this model.
Country Guy,
Hello, hope you have better luck than I had trying to get info on that particular model. I contacted every scale company I could find. Never got a reply….
I recently sold it. Sorry I couldn’t give you any useful information on these things.
I just came back to see if you found an answer, then I read your bio. You wouldn't believe what happened to my piano! Had a moving company and they somehow must have dropped it because one of the legs completely broke off!!! They said that both legs were previously damaged and did not cover anything on it! I took lessons on that piano when I was 5 and there was absolutely no damage to it at all! Grrrr!